The Final of Us’ third episode, “Lengthy Lengthy Time,” earned loads of reward – and decisive discourse – final week for its dramatic deviation from the sport’s narrative and deep-dive into Invoice and Frank’s backstory. Episode 4, “Please Maintain My Hand,” additionally takes a major detour, however this time it’s a extra literal, geographical one.

Upon leaving Invoice’s (Nick Offerman) residence, in each the sport and sequence, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) hit the street for Wyoming with hopes of discovering Joel’s brother Tommy. Within the supply materials, their journey is quickly derailed in Pittsburgh, the place they’re ambushed by Hunters and their truck is totaled. Within the present, nonetheless, they journey practically one other thousand miles west — earlier than issues go south — to Kansas Metropolis.


Spoiler alert: The next comprises particulars about The Final of Us season 2, episode 4, “Please Maintain My Hand.” Cease right here you probably have not watched the episode.


DIFFERENT CITY, SAME PROBLEMS

Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey in The Last of Us

(Picture by Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Whereas the sport and present disagree on the place Joel and Ellie hit a literal bump within the street, the following occasions play out equally. A person looking for assist stumbles in entrance of their truck, begging for them to cease. As a seasoned smuggler, Joel instantly acknowledges the ruse and hits the gasoline. However extra aggressors rapidly emerge, inflicting the pair to finally crash right into a storefront.

Within the sport’s model of occasions – which unfold in a chapter titled “Pittsburgh”– the chaotic scene units the stage for 2 or so hours of tense, action-packed gameplay. Extra particularly, whereas Joel and Ellie desperately try to survive and escape the Hunter-controlled metropolis, gamers’ set off fingers are taxed as Joel leaves an more and more massive pile of corpses in his wake.

However because the sequence has already confirmed, it’s way more fascinated with fleshing out its characters than bloodying their palms. That is particularly obvious within the rapid aftermath of the truck’s collision. As within the sport, the present sees Joel dropping some Hunters to guard Ellie. However the sequence forgoes the sport’s bloody, prolonged melees and far greater physique rely to deal with fewer deaths, notably one among a younger man who’s shot and disarmed by the duo. With the tables turned, the wounded, terrified assailant requires his mom and pleads for his life. It’s a brutal, gut-wrenching second that had us sympathizing with this “unhealthy man” whereas he fruitlessly begs to be spared.

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BRAND NEW BADDIE

Melanie Lynskey in The Last of Us

(Picture by Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Extra than simply humanizing this sufferer – and, extra broadly, each determined survivor who’s seen their ethical integrity examined within the post-apocalypse – the scene performs an enormous half in shaping Joel and Ellie’s relationship. However earlier than we dive into the mushy stuff, let’s meet a “unhealthy man” that’s a lot more durable to sympathize with. The sport’s Hunters are a largely faceless group of scavengers which have taken management of Pittsburgh. By and huge, they’re simply bullet fodder for the participant. The sequence’ Kansas Metropolis model of this identical antagonistic faction additionally management their respective metropolis, having usurped FEDRA, however they’re led by Kathleen (Melanie Lynskey), a completely unique – and ruthless – character.

Whereas the supply materials’s Hunters don’t have any actual motive past murdering and stealing to outlive, Kathleen’s small military are pushed by revenge. As evidenced by their ambush of Joel and Ellie, they’re additionally not above killing and robbing, however the episode sees them put these actions on maintain to seek out a younger man named Henry and his little brother Sam.


Jeffrey Pierce in The Last of Us

(Picture by Liane Hentscher/HBO)

These siblings might be acquainted to followers of the sport, because it options them in their very own heartrending story arc (which we received’t spoil right here). However they’re now given a a lot bigger, related position, as Henry’s apparently a traitor not directly liable for the beating dying of Kathleen’s brother. Along with her considerably reluctant, assault rifle-packing lieutenant Perry (performed by Jeffrey Worth, pictured, who voiced Tommy within the sport and its sequel) by her facet, Kathleen will cease at nothing to seek out Henry and actual her revenge.

When the physique of Joel’s aforementioned sufferer is found, she believes Henry is accountable, main her to mercilessly execute a health care provider – the very one who delivered her as a child – that she’d been interrogating. Her and Perry additionally uncover Henry’s hideout, which is affected by empty meals cans and a toddler’s drawings – presumably Sam’s – depicting the brothers dressed as masked superheroes.


JOEL AND ELLIE’S BURGEONING BOND

Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey in The Last of Us ep 4 featurette screencap

(Picture by HBO)

Whereas Kansas Metropolis and Kathleen are new additions, Joel and Ellie’s misadventures stick fairly near the sport’s script, typically shot-for-shot and line-for-line. From lighter moments – like their hilarious change over Invoice’s porn journal and Ellie’s joke obsession and love of comedian books to extra dire conditions – such because the post-ambush assault – the episode is brimming with scenes that’ll have followers pointing like Leonardo DiCaprio’s As soon as Upon a Time in Hollywood meme.

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However once more, the sequence additionally extends and tweaks these sequences to raised match the medium and provides extra context to its characters’ development. As within the sport, their time within the truck contains listening to a cassette of Hank Williams’ “Alone and Forsaken,” in addition to a fast lower to Ellie sleeping after she insisted she’s not drained. These acquainted callouts, nonetheless, sandwich a brand new, prolonged dialog change between the 2, exploring Tommy’s historical past, his involvement with the Fireflies, and Joel’s contentious relationship with him.

Joel and Ellie additionally spend far much less time within the metropolis evading and killing Hunters than they do bonding. The catalyst for his or her maturing relationship stems from a well-known scene that takes a recent flip, whereas additionally supporting Ellie’s earlier, secretive commandeering of Invoice’s gun. Shortly after they crash within the sport, Ellie saves Joel by warning him of an assault he doesn’t see coming. Within the present, this interprets to her hesitantly utilizing her beforehand hidden pistol to shoot and significantly wound Joel’s shock attacker.


Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us

(Picture by Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Her goal is the aforementioned man who pleads for his life. Joel places the ultimate, deadly bullet in him, however he’s tortured by the very fact Ellie needed to pull the set off within the first place. Later within the episode, he awkwardly explains this, blaming himself and apologizing to Ellie. He additionally provides her the gun and teaches her methods to correctly intention it. All through the episode, additionally they have some tentative conversations about Joel’s previous experiences killing folks, and the morally grey justifications behind his actions. Ellie additionally confesses she’s harm folks earlier than, a subject she’s not able to elaborate on.

The beginning of the episode sees Ellie telling Joel jokes, attempting to melt him up, however to no avail. He’s clearly aggravated and, quickly after, refers to her as “cargo” – as he does within the sport – stressing his solely connection along with her stems from Tess’ remaining request to ship her west. Quick ahead 45 minutes, previous their earnest, emotional exchanges, and so they’re each laughing uncontrollably whereas falling asleep to one among Ellie’s previously-annoying jokes.

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In fact, that is the post-apocalypse, so that they don’t get to have a good time their blossoming bond over ice cream the subsequent day. Quite the opposite, whereas the pair drift off to la la land having fun with a shared, pleased second, they awake to pistols of their faces. A younger man and boy stand over them, weapons drawn, whereas the latter raises his index finger to his mouth in a “shush” gesture. Because the boy does this, the digicam pans to disclose a masks – like these from Sam’s superhero sketches – painted throughout his face.



NO PUN INTENDED

Maybe the largest, albeit least delicate, Easter egg within the episode is Ellie’s joke e book, “No Pun Meant: Quantity Too.” As talked about above, its groan-worthy contents finally play a pivotal position in serving to grease the wheels of Joel and Ellie’s fledgling relationship. The diarrhea joke that lastly cracks Joel is pulled from The Final of Us’ enlargement Left Behind. Ellie is presented the e book on this side-story by her buddy Riley, but it surely will also be scooped up as an optionally available collectible in the principle sport.

Longtime followers – in addition to Dad joke lovers – will certainly take pleasure in Ellie’s persistent supply of the eye-rolling puns, however the episode’s callouts and nods don’t cease at poop humor. Much less evident Easter eggs embrace Ellie transferring desks and opening doorways to help Joel’s navigation via obstructed areas, an everyday prevalence within the sport.

Ellie additionally notes Joel doesn’t hear particularly properly on his proper facet, a script-flipping reference to the supply materials’s “Pay attention Mode.” Within the sport, triggering this ability heightens Joel’s senses to assist him find enemies, a capability that obtained some ribbing for being a bit superhero-like.

Viewers may also spot a Hunter truck with “RUN” spray-painted throughout its plow. Whereas the graffiti reads the identical within the sport, the car it’s scrawled on is much extra menacing, pursuing the participant and peppering them with turret fireplace.


c6672520 d359 11ea a15f bdf29fa24277 certified fresh
97%


The Final of Us: Season 1
(2023)
new episodes air on Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.


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